NATIONAL TRUST MEMBERS VISIT

NATIONAL TRUST MEMBERS ASSOCIATION

VISITS MILFORD

Milford Buildings Preservation Trust hosted the Belfast Association of National Trust Members in Milford village on Saturday 24th May 2014. The Trust was delighted to welcome the group. After morning coffee in The Old Schoolhouse the group were given house tour of Milford House Museum by Keeper of Collections Stephen, Mc Manus and a tour of the world famous William Mc Crum Park by Joe Mc Manus (who was instrumental in saving the field where the penalty kickwas invented). Following this the group were taken by to The Old Schoolhouse and Stephen Mc Manus told them about the Manor House School, which owned Milford House from 1936 to 1965, why Milford House is designated one of the top ten listed buildings at most serious risk in Northern Ireland and the Trust's work to save Milford's Heritage.

The group were privileged to be joined in the morning's events by the Rev.John William Mc Crum Miller and his wife Joan who were visiting from Edinburgh. The Rev.Miller is a great grandson of Robert Garmany Mc Crum of Milford House. Both he and his wife Joan have over the years been extremely generous benefactors gifting many precious Mc Crum and Miller family items to Milford House Museum.

After a highly enjoybale lunch the group was taken on a walking tour of Milford village by Stephen Mc Manus who revealed the stories of the fascinating buildings and the people wholived there. This continued up to the back gates of Milford House. The group amazed at the extradinary history of the house, the Trust's work to save it but equally shocked at the deteriorating state of the property.

David Gibson of the Belfast National Trust Association said " I would like to express the thanks of our group to you and your team (especially the caterers) for a very enjoyable day put. We were all impressed by your encyclopedic knowledge of the history of Milford. and Milford House and your enthusiasm for the area". Stephen Mc Manus said it wasan absolute pleasure for the Trustees to welcome the group and we look forward to welcoming many more groups in the future.

Milford Buildings Preservation Trust

The Milford Buildings Preservation Trust, a company and registered charity (no.XR82797) was set up in 1999 by Stephen Mc Manus and aims to:

“Protect, promote and preserve Milford House, its parkland and the heritage attached to it for the benefit of the nation. Also to protect, promote and preserve the built architectural, industrial and natural landscape of the Milford area for the benefit of the nation”.